When Leila woke, it was with an arm around her waist. Her smile was instant when she located the owner of the arm. Kelvin. It was her first time seeing him in bed. He looked peaceful and younger than his actual age. The worry lines on his forehead were gone. Leila wasn't thinking when she placed a kiss on his cheek.
Kelvin didn't stir from his sleep so she snuck out of the bed and did her thing in silence to avoid waking him. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains, it was the only sound in the room as Leila changed into a gown.
The sexy, black gown. It hugged her body, and showed off her slim waist. Leila found herself wishing Kelvin was awake to appreciate her figure. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror when Kelvin finally woke. He stretched his hands and a smile took over his lips when their eyes met in the mirror. She looked away.
As far as they were concerned, their last conversation didn't end well. Leila walked out on him and he met her talking to the man he said she shouldn't.
He walked over to her and held the back of her chair. "Slept well?" She nodded.
Kelvin didn't mention last night's apology. Leila figured he would never apologise now she was awake. But it was okay. He already apologised to her sleeping form. Kelvin motioned to the necklace laid out on the vanity, she hooked it around her neck and he helped her with the hook. His touch was like wildfire lighting up her body in ways she didn't want to explore.
"Are you going out?" he asked.
His voice was tight. Leila almost laughed at his well-hidden discomfort. He must be thinking of Mike again. She placed a hand over her chest as if it would stop her heart from racing.
"No, Kev."
"But you're all dressed up." To chill with her friends, not Mike. "You look good by the way."
The compliment was so sudden she didn't have time to react. At first, she was quiet. Then, her head tilted upwards so she had an upside down view of his face. Lily and Susie called her earlier while she was bathing. They wanted to know her room number to visit but she volunteered to come to their room instead with the excuse that Amara wouldn't appreciate their presence.
"Just hanging out with some friends," she said. When he didn't say anything, she smiled. Jealous much? "The girls, Kev."
The last part was added to ease him. Mike was not worth a fight. After yesterday's disaster, she was not ready to face Mike. She had done what she had never done before. Fought with a staff. It could get her suspended and possibly demoted. Did Kelvin know about the fight? Knowing Samantha, she would have gone on a tirade about how Leila physically assaulted her.
"I'll be in here for most part of the day," he said without her asking. "Got a lot to do."
A lot like what? His billions didn't only come from Tech Valley, she knew that much. Kelvin left for a brief moment, and returned with a single stick of flower. Leila was done styling her hair but she didn't move.
The last two weeks were filled with constant delivery of flowers even in his absence. All of them came without notes. The notes were a personal touch Leila loved but she was glad to be on the receiving end of such sweet gestures.
Kelvin held the red flower out to her, she accepted the gift from him with a smile and tucked it behind her ear. Kelvin beamed. Leila shivered when Kelvin's fingers brushed her cheek, his eyes said so many things but his mouth was sealed. If she could read minds, his would be the first one she would read.
"Thanks," she murmured. "I love it."
"Found them when I was taking a stroll in the garden last night," he muttered. "Wanted to give it to you but you were already asleep." The reminder of last night made her heart thud like a caged bird. Heat crawled up her cheek when his eyes lowered to her lips and the butterflies in her belly went haywire. "Have fun, Leila."
Her shoulders hung heavy with disappointment at his casual dismissal. She didn't know what she expected, maybe a goodbye kiss to the cheek like the other day. Or an invitation to stay with him and spend some time together. They had not even had a real kiss and they had been married for close to a month. To Freya, she had an okay marriage. If only her best friend knew.
Taking slow steps to the door, her hand closed around the knob but she hesitated to twist it. Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name. It was whispered like a prayer and she was almost certain the voice wasn't real.
She didn't turn to confirm the voice, neither did she move until she felt a tap on her shoulder. Her breath ceased. Kelvin was in only a pair of shorts and she felt herself growing hot again at the sight of his body.
Lean but strong muscles. Firm biceps. She wondered what it would feel like to be cradled in those strong arms.
What was his past life like? Did he have other women? What about his family?
Her mouth watered as her eyes trailed his chest down to the sculptured V lines that disappeared into the waistband of his shorts. He always woke before her so she had no idea if he exercised. But he had to be exercising or visiting the gym regularly. He was too fit. His body was perfect.
Would his kisses be as soft as his lips? She should have stayed in bed longer to explore his body more.
Before her thoughts strayed into dirtier places, she said, "Yes?" Her voice seemed to snap him out of his trance. He blinked furiously for a second. "You called me?"
"Yeah, I did."
Leila's breath stuck in her throat as his lips inched closer to her face. Was their kiss finally going to happen? Her heart skipped, she closed her eyes and let out a sharp breath as his lips connected with her cheek.
Her disappointment was palpable, it took a moment for her to compose herself. Her eyes opened to her husband watching her. Lust darkened his gaze but he didn't act on it. She didn't act on her desires either.
"Call me if you need anything, okay?"
His voice was a sweet caress and she found herself nodding. That same question filled her mind again. When would they kiss?
Leila's heart beat normally again when she was at the reception, she froze when she saw Sam dragging a box. A warm feeling of pride spread through Leila's chest at the amount of makeup on Sam's face.
No one at the office annoyed her more than Samantha. If they were working in the same department, they might have had a go at each other long before yesterday. She hid behind a pillar, straining her neck to read Sam's lips as she conversed with the receptionist.
Minutes later, Sam walked out of the hotel with her travel box in tow. Curious, Leila sashayed to the receptionist. She leaned over the counter with a smile. Receptionists were not supposed to divulge other's business but her curious self needed to know.
"Hey," Leila greeted.
"Hey," came the response. "How may I help you?"
Her head jerked towards the door where Sam stood waiting. What was that troublemaker up to?
Leila got her answer when a yellow car drove to a stop in front of Sam. The driver jumped out to help with her bags. Sam slid into the front seat, her eyes roamed the place until they landed in Leila's direction.
There was nothing but hate for her in the other lady's eyes. The car sped off and Sam was gone.
"What did she want?" Leila asked the receptionist.
"To check out." Sam was leaving? The receptionist nodded and Leila realised she had spoken out loud. She mumbled an apology. "Is she your friend?"
"A colleague."